Mila J facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mila J
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Mila J performing in 2018
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| Birth name | Jamila Akiko Aba Chilombo |
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| Born | November 18, 1982 Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
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| Years active | 1991–present |
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Jamila Akiko Aba Chilombo (born November 18, 1982), known as Mila J, is an American singer, rapper, and songwriter. She was born and grew up in Los Angeles. Mila J is the older sister of R&B singer Jhené Aiko.
Mila J is known for appearing in Prince's music video for "Diamonds and Pearls". She also appeared on songs by artists like RaRa, IMx, Trey Songz, and Omarion. She released several songs from 2006 to 2009. After a break, she returned to music in 2012.
She signed with Motown from 2013 to 2017. During this time, she released two EPs: Made in L.A. (2014) and 213 (2016). In 2017, she released her first official album, Dopamine. Mila J now works as an independent artist.
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Her Early Life
Jamila Akiko Aba Chilombo was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. Her mother, Christina Yamamoto, was an art teacher. Her father, Dr. Karamo Chilombo, was a musician and a doctor. Her parents later divorced. Her younger sister is the famous singer Jhené Aiko.
Her Music Journey
Starting Her Career
Mila J began her career by joining a new dance group. This group caught the attention of Chris Stokes. Through Chris Stokes, Mila auditioned for and appeared as a dancer in Prince's "Diamonds and Pearls" music video in 1991.
Stokes started managing Jamila and her sister Miyoko. They eventually formed an R&B group called Gyrl. The group toured with another R&B group named Immature. Immature was signed to MCA/Silas Records at the time.
Gyrl included Jamila, Miyoko, and Paulette Maxwell. When they were backup dancers for Immature, their group was called Innocence. They appeared in music videos like "Da Munchies" and "Constantly". In 1995, Silas Records released Gyrl's first song, "Play Another Slow Jam". This song reached number 74 on the US Hot R&B Singles chart.
After this song, Paulette left the group. In 1997, Glorika "Jeanae'" Briley and Tai-Amber Hoo joined Gyrl. They released the song "Get Your Groove On", which was featured in the movie B*A*P*S. This song reached number 91 on the US Billboard Hot 100. It also reached number 30 on the US Hot R&B Singles chart. After this, the group broke up.
In 2005, Mila was part of another girl group called Dame Four. This group included Tomasina Parrot, Tennille Mathis, and Mercedes Nelson. They released one song called "How We Roll". Dame Four also broke up soon after.
In the early 2000s, Mila took a break from music. She said that being in many girl groups made her unsure of who she was as an artist. During her break, she learned more about herself as a solo artist. She figured out what she wanted to sing about.
Breakthrough and New Music
Mila J later signed with Universal Motown. She worked with label executive Sylvia Rhone. After being featured on songs by RaRa, IMx, and Omarion, Mila J planned to release her first album. It was going to be called Split Personality. Chris Stokes produced the album.
The album was supposed to feature artists from T.U.G.. These included Marques Houston, Young Rome, Rufus Blaq, and The Underdogs. Mila J performed two songs from the unreleased album, "Complete" and "I'm Mi". She sang them on Showtime at the Apollo. Universal planned to release the album in the summer of 2006.
In 2012, Jamila changed her style and name to Japallonia. She released a free mixtape online called "Blinded". It came with a music video. This mixtape was downloaded over 700,000 times. She also released a music video for her song "Movin On" with VEVO.
Returning to Music
In 2014, Mila J started using her stage name again. She released her first song, "Smoke, Drink, Break-Up". The music video for this song first appeared on BET's 106 & Park. The song reached number 33 on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart. She performed the song on BET's 106 & Park on May 28.
After her main song, she was featured on Trey Songz's album Trigga. She sang on the song "Disrespectful". She also worked on her album M.I.L.A., which means Made In Los Angeles. She said the album would have a 1990s feel. It would include many songs about relationships, like "Pain in My Heart". Artists like B.o.B, Ty Dolla Sign, and Problem were featured on this album. On August 27, she released the lyric video for her second song, "My Main". This song was produced by DJ Mustard and featured Ty Dolla $ign.
In 2015, Mila was featured on Jodeci's album The Past, The Present, The Future. She sang on a track called "Body Parts". Mila also worked with the duo BC KINGDOM on their EP PRESS START. This project had a different sound from her earlier work. Her stage name briefly changed to MILA. Critics described the EP as "dark and edgy". On June 10, she changed her stage name back to Mila J. She released a new song, "FreakNic", from her upcoming album. She released her second mixtape, The Waiting Game, on November 12, 2015.
In early 2017, Mila J left the Motown record label. She became an independent artist. On April 7, 2017, she released her 13-track first album, "Dopamine".
Who Inspires Mila J?
Mila J has said that Janet Jackson is her biggest inspiration. Mila loves how Janet Jackson performs. She said, "You go to her shows, she's gon' have a million dancers—lights, camera, action. It was just cool to see a female dancing and singing." Mýa and Brandy are also big inspirations for Mila J.
Awards and Nominations
Mila J has been recognized for her music.
- In 2014, she was nominated for World's Best R&B Artist at the World Music Awards.
- Also in 2014, her song "Smoke, Drink, Break-Up" was nominated for World's Best Song at the World Music Awards.
Discography
- Dopamine (2017)
- Holiday (2019)
